Like child abuse, it affects every American by affecting those we love most. Awareness for victims of domestic violence has evolved since our country's inception. In the past it was a private matter and took place "behind closed doors". They helped them overcome their suffering and reintegrate them into traditional culture. (Karmen, 2015) She states that one of the movements that contributed to the process is the feminist movement. This widespread movement took place in the 1970s and represented “battered women”. It helped them stand up for themselves during their difficult times. Domestic tranquility provides women with domestic security under the protection of their husbands. The Feminist Movement questioned domestic tranquility and urged women to defend themselves (Karmen, 2015). They discovered the “silent crisis” that was living inside many women at that time. The crisis was that the men they married were succumbing to the days of “behind closed doors” and “looking the other way.” Those times would no longer last, due to the feminist movement and widespread awareness. Laws and legislation have changed since the rediscovery of victims of domestic violence. An example is restraining orders. Restraining orders establish a level of protection for women from male offenders. Another example of legislation is the Violence Against Women Act. Enacted in 1994, the act requires all states to enforce orders of protection issued in a